FLAGSTAFF DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AND REVITALIZATION DISTRICT STAKEHOLDERS REPORT 2014 During 2014, the Flagstaff Downtown Business Improvement and Revitalization District (FDBIRD) was formed, funded, and created a management structure for downtown. 2014 highlights:  February ‘14 City of Flagstaff unanimously approved Resolution to Form FDBIRD and appointed three initial “Since February’s formation of the directors to board to serve one year terms. Council also District, there’s been a lot of hard voted to approve one-time $127,000 initial funding for work and tremendous effort district operations. bringing all the legal and financial  June ’14 District property owners voted in favor of a special tax assessment to fund the district. elements to a successful result. An  September ’14 District awards management contract to unbelievable amount of work has Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance (FDBA) to hire happened to get us to December Executive Director and provide services for downtown 2014 and I’m really excited and around the goals of management, advocacy and parking solutions. proud with how much has been  November ’14 FDBA conducted local, regional and accomplished. Now we’re poised to nationwide search for Executive Director candidates, bring management, advocacy and interviewing six applicants and narrowing the field to parking solutions to downtown.” two finalists. Mark Lamberson owner, Mountain Sports  December ’14 Executive Director finalists appeared Flagstaff. downtown for multiple community meet & greets and in person interviews.  January ’15 the FDBA announced the hiring of Terry Madeksza as the new Executive Director. Terry’s entire career has been devoted to downtown “From my perspective, the greatest management, most recently with the Downtown milestones are that the district has Phoenix Partnership.  February ’15 the FDBIRD received 5 been created, they have a Board of nomination packets for 5 board openings, as such an Directors and they can start election was not held resulting in the appointment of working.” Elizabeth Burke, District Clerk and Karen Kinne-Herman, Tim Kinney, Dave Stilley, John VanLandingham and Antionette Beiser to the board of City Clerk of Flagstaff directors. “Nobody else in the state has done this yet. The most significant challenge is that this is a brand new form of entity. There is no case law with regard to this. The guiding principles used throughout were transparency, openness and fairness to ensure that the district has complied with all applicable state statutes with regard to municipal elections, finance and open meeting laws.” Dana Kjellgren, attorney www.downtownflagstaff.org Other 2014 accomplishments:  Negotiated Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with City of Flagstaff resulting in $127,000 City contribution to the district.  Website (www.downtownflagstaff.org) updated regularly to post agendas and minutes from board meetings, resolutions, election information and other pertinent information related to the district.  Retained legal counsel to provide advice for district matters related to formation, open meeting laws, elections, etc.  Assigned “point person” for district issues with stakeholders and City of Flagstaff.  Board of directors conducted 15 board meetings, complying with Arizona open meeting laws, to deal with various issues related to the formation, organizational framework, tax election, and other details.  Board of directors adopted 2014-2015 budget.  District board, clerk, treasurer and attorney worked with Coconino County assessor’s office, treasurer’s office and election office to iron out all necessary details ahead of the June special tax election.  Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved mail ballot election for February 2015 to elect new expanded FDBIRD board of directors (5).  Contracted for clerk and treasurer to replace City staff provided to district as of 1/1/2015. “There’s a lot we can do and this will help us to take some good steps. That the volunteer group held it together long enough to have staff is a miracle. There are going to be challenges – the district will have to work very hard.” Maury Herman, principal, Coast & Mountain Properties Flagstaff Downtown Business Improvement and Revitalization District Goals Protect and enhance the vitality of our historic downtown… 1. Management District Marketing Special Events Street Closures Holiday Decorations 2. Parking Better Customer/Client Parking Employee Parking Solutions Private Lot Management/Sharing More Parking Spaces 3. Advocacy Dedicated “go-to” person Representation on Issues Heritage Square Permitting www.downtownflagstaff.org